Church of Our Lady in front of Týn

Church of Our Lady in front of Týn

The Church of Our Lady in front of Týn (in Czech "Kostel Matky Boží před Týnem", "Týnský chrám" or just "Týn") is a dominant feature of the Old Town district of Prague, and the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century. Towers of church are 80 m high and topped by four small spires.

History

In the 11th century this area was occupied by a romanesque church, which was replaced by an early gothic Church of Our Lady in front of Týn in 1256. Construction of present church started in the 14th century in late gothic style, under the influence of Matthias of Arras, and later Peter Parler. At the beginning of the 15th century, construction was almost done; only the towers, gable and roof were missing. The church was controlled by Hussites for some time, including John of Rokycan, future archbishop of Prague, who became the vicar of the church in 1427.

The roof was completed in the 1450s, while the gable and northern tower were completed shortly thereafter during the reign of George of Podebrady. His sculpture was placed on the gable, below a huge golden chalice, the symbol of the Hussites. The southern tower was not completed until 1511, under Matěj Rejsek. In 1626, after the Battle of the White Mountain, the sculptures of George of Podebrady and the chalice were removed, replaced by a sculpture of The Madonna, with aureole made from the chalice. In 1679 the church was damaged by fire caused by lightning, causing the heavily damaged old vault to be replaced by a lower baroque vault.

In 1876 - 1895 a reconstruction was carried out, which was reversed through a long exterior restoration that took place in the years 1973 - 1995. Afterwards interior restoration began, and is still in progress.

Highlights

*The northern portal is a wonderful example of Gothic sculpture by the Parler workshop, with a relief depicting the Crucifixion. The main entrance is located at the West of the church, through a narrow passage beside the houses in front of the façade.
*The early baroque altarpiece has paintings by Karel Škréta executed around 1649.
*The oldest pipe organ in Prague stands inside this church. The organ was built in 1673 by Heinrich Mundt and is one of the most representative 17th century organs in Europe.
*The great Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, who worked for Emperor Rudolph II, was buried in the church in 1601. His beautiful marble tomb slab is located inside.

External links

* [http://tynska.farnost.cz/index_en.html Web pages of Roman Catholic parish at the church]
* [http://www.pis.cz/en/prague/monuments/our_lady_before_tyn/ Information on Prague Information Service pages]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Church of Our Lady before Týn — Church of Our Lady before Týn, from Old Town Square …   Wikipedia

  • Liste der Nationalen Kulturdenkmale Tschechiens — Die Liste der Nationalen Kulturdenkmale Tschechiens enthält alle Kulturdenkmale in der Tschechischen Republik, die zum Nationalen Kulturdenkmal erklärt wurden. Nr. Ort Denkmal Okres seit Ansicht 101 Praha 1 Hradčany Prager Burg Praha 1962 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Tycho Brahe — This article is about the astronomer Tycho Brahe. For other uses, see Tycho Brahe (disambiguation). Tycho Ottesen Brahe Born 14 December 1546 Knutstorp Castle, Scania Died 24 October 1601 (age …   Wikipedia

  • Matěj Rejsek — memorial plaque of Matěj Rejsek at New town hall in Prostějov Matěj Rejsek (probably 1445, Prostějov 1506, Prague) was a famous Czech gothic architect, scholar, and philosopher. He is also known as Matyáš Rejsek. There is probably incorrect(?)… …   Wikipedia

  • Josef Seger — (born Josef Ferdinand Norbert Seger , last name also Seeger or Seegr ) (21 March, 1716 in Repín, Bohemia April 22, 1782 in Prague) was a Bohemian composer and one of the most important representatives of the Czech school.A pupil of Bohuslav… …   Wikipedia

  • List of architectural vaults — The following is a list of arched structures known in architecture as vaults.* Ambulatory vault – the covered portion of the covered passage around a cloister. Often written in the context of an ambulatory vault mosaic. * Annular vault – A Barrel …   Wikipedia

  • Karel Škréta — (1610, Prague July 30, 1674, Prague) was a Czech Baroque painter. His full name is Karel Škréta Šotonovský ze Závořic . He was a meaningful personality of Czech Baroque. He was of good stock. His family made achievements. Karel learnt painting… …   Wikipedia

  • Тынский храм — Достопримечательность Храм Девы Марии перед Тыном чеш. Kostel Panny Marie před Týnem …   Википедия

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”